MATCH PREVIEW: Sunshine Stars V MFM FC

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Sunshine Stars Football Club will take on Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC of Lagos at the Akure Township Stadium in one of the Matchday 6 fixtures in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) tagged  the 'Southwest Derby' where a win is of the utmost priority to remain in a better position on the log.

MFM FC coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his charges, who were victorious in their last league match in Lagos with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Kano Pillars courtesy of a flying header from teenage striker Adebayo Waheed, will be looking forward to continue with their good run of form as they seek for another away point in Sunday's game against Sunshine Stars.

Both teams will be meeting for the third time in the NPFL. MFM FC beat the hosts 2-1 in their first meeting in Lagos with Newman Musa and Stephen Odey scoring a goal each. The Owena Waves defeated the visitors 2-0 in the return leg last term courtesy of a brace from Dele Olorundare.

The hosts currently sit in 15th place on the NPFL table with six points from five league games. The Olukoya Boys, on the other hand, occupy second position on the league standings with 10 points from five NPFL matches. A win for Ilechukwu's men will take them to the top of the table depending on the outcome of the game involving league leaders Plateau United at Nasarawa United.

Team news
MFM FC will miss the services of goalkeeper, Abayomi Folarin and Nwaga Chuka as they go into Sunday's encounter. Ilechukwu made two changes to his last matchday squad with former Sunshine Stars players, Abdulrahman Abdulsalam and Gold Busayo replacing Alashe Ajibola and Akuneto Chijioke respectively.

The full squad include Nasamu Emmanuel, Abisoye Olawale, Tchato Giscard, Oshobe Oladele, Gold Busayo, Candy Agbane, Adebayo Waheed, Egbe Ospino, Okorom Stanley, Julius Emiloju, Bashiru Monsuru, Opara Austine, Shola Brossa, Abdulrahman Abdulsalam, Onuwa Chukwuka, Olatunbosun Sikiru, Adegboyega Adekunle, Odey Stephen.

Sunshine Stars coach Kayode Olujohungbe will be relying on the few experienced players in his squad to get the desired result in the southwest derby.

Ojo Olorundare, Ayodele Henry, Raji Nojeem, Kola Anubi, Kehinde Adedipe, Abbey Joseph, Peter Iyamu, Alaba Adeniyi, Ajibola Otegbeye, Boboye Ezekiel and Sikiru Babatunde are expected to be in action for the Akure-based outfit.



Players’ viewpoint 

MFM FC left-back, Julius Emiloju is confident that his side will not be defeated at the end of the game. "I don't think Sunshine Stars will beat us. We have an edge over them and I believe we will celebrate after 90 minutes by the special grace of God."

Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo has admitted that the derby game will be very difficult for the hosts but they are certain to claim the maximum points at stake. "We are expecting a difficult game from MFM FC on Sunday in Akure. Of course, MFM FC are good and have proven themselves in the ongoing top-flight season."

Form Guide (last 5 NPFL games) 
MFM FC (WLWDW) 
Sunshine Stars (LWLWL)

Previous meetings (Head-to-head) in two NPFL matches
MFM FC 2-1 Sunshine Stars
Sunshine Stars 2-0 MFM FC

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